Aspies For Freedom

Ok.  But I would want it smoke free and quiet.   We would have to have the same menu every week.  My husband would have to be allowed but I do not think he has AS.  

Maybe it could include a sheltered workshop for some people who have trouble finding or keeping employment.

Hi all,

The idea I was discussing the other day was "Autbase" - essentially a 24/7/365 version of Autreat / Autscape run as a communal cooperative under charitable status.

We would raise funds via charitable donations / lottery funding etc. and purchase a plot of land and buildings which would then be held in trust for unlimited use by all autistics as a break from the "real" world. Use of the facilities should be accessible to all income groups on a pay what you can afford basis.

Some key issues that need further thought are:

1. Would NTs be welcome too? (this hadn't occured to me but has been mentioned above and is an obvious point I had overlooked). Perhaps NTs could pay a market rate for use of the facilities.

2. Would we require people to have a formal diagnosis of autism. I would initially argue yes (and rapidly duck behind the sofa ;-).

Please let me know what you think,

Cheers,

James

Housing for autistic people could be very feasible. It would be possible to set up a non-profit housing society with a mandate to administrate government rent subsidies to "disabled" members.

there has been so much talk of Einstein and genius in this forum of late that I worry that someone very obviously HFA like me may be left behind.

I live in sheltered accomodation and work as a cleaning lady.

Stella

Nothing wrong with that! I do kind of see where you're coming from though with that comment, it's hard to find a balance.

Emphasise the positive aspects of AS/Autism, and anyone who isn't quite *that* much of a genius/successful/lucky tends to risk losing out. Not just things like benefits, I mean just self esteem, and pressure/expectations from others.

On the other hand, leave the media and prejudiced individuals to spread a negative image, and we all suffer, too.

I was sent to a special school (boarding) which was so terrible I can hardly bare to think about it. At that time I tended to repeat certain words and phrases over and over ("delayed echolalia") and was very roughly treated to try and make me stop. I ran away more than once.

I would like to know more people but am very shy and easily socially confused. I thought I might invite Brighty over and make him a nice hot dinner but didn't know whether he would like dumplings or not. Also whether Amy was knitting anything for her baby, and needed anything.

Stella Aspergia

"Sheltered accomodation" means a one bedroom flat (apartment) owned by the municipal authority, (City Hall?)  where there is some level of social support available if needed from a "neighbourhood community support worker"

Stella

My friend started this non-profit called the Mental Health Empowerment Society and it advocates very strongly for its members who have mental health issues. All the board members have some sort of mental health diagnosis. The society finds semi-shared or shared housing for its members. Rent is paid either by the member's earnings if they are employed or disability cheque.

That sounds like a wonderful arrangement - although the shared housing may not suit some, but something in between, where you have your own small flat etc. and a certain deal of independence, yet there is a safety net in place.

I would like such a community, but not in town. I would want it either in the country or at least on the edge of town. A city/town has too much noise, not enough quiet and solitude, and we aspies like our animals, too...

Sorry for double posting...

I would not like an apartment or dorm arrangement...although I could possibly tolerate a good sized cabin with a group kitchen and several aspies sharign it, each in their own corner or section of the place. I mean, think of it: I frequently (left to my own devices) like to stay up until 2-3 A.M. while paintign or doing artwork. Typically, this involves good lighting and playing a favorite C.D. so that the same song repeats itself for a few hours. Usually it's Elton John (although classical and rap have worked too). I can see where in an apartment setting, I would be my neighbors worst nightmare....especially if they don't like Elton John... :lol:

Also, have any of you ever looked into Camphill Village or been to one? I have at times been sorely tempted by the Camphill Villages...even though many of the residents are disabled in other ways or are NT's, it is a very calming atmosphere and there are other auties there, too, and lots of animals. It is so soothing that once you've been there for a week or two, "normal life" seems awfully jarring.

Here is the Village that I spent time in: http://www.camphillvillage.org/

And there are all across the world, including the UK: http://www.camphill.org.uk/

You can live at a Camphill Village rent free with room and board (and the best food you can find anywhere, I think) in exchange for working there and helping out the other people and on the farm. If you are disabled, you can apply as a Villager and I think there is a waiting list.

Apartments can be very quiet if built properly.  My apartment is so so quiet.  Unless someone is hammering on the floor all day or has a very noisy washing machine, there is no noise.  Of course, these activities should not be done between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.  (only what about people who work nights?) Even for loud music or television, it can only be heard when passing the hallway door to a unit.  

The higher the unit, the more quiet, as there is less noise from the street.  I know one person who says that his house was much less quiet than his condo.  

An apartment block could include a daycare centre and playground for children.  My apartment has an indoor swimming pool and exercise room that we seldon use.  It is a good idea but there is no life guard and I do not wish to swim alone.  Having security guards and secure entrances help to make one feel safer inside the building.  Some people I know are afraid to go downstairs to the laundry room.  Actually, I would prefer to have laundry facilities and cooking facilities right in my own unit.  Some weeks I never leave my apartment alone without my husband.  

I seldom interact with the other tenants in the building.  A few people bothered me when I first moved in but my husband put a stop to that.  I really do not understand that some people with AS feel they should have their own housing.   What is the reason for it?  -economic?  - harrassment?

I think it's a good idea as a holiday place for autistic people,  but preferably in the country or on the edge of a town or city. Also use of it should not be limited to formally diagnosed autistics.

However, it would cost a lot of money to buy a suitable place in the UK, because of high property prices, or to rent.

I always find that camping in tents or trailers to be very noisy and .... well, not very comfortable.  I can sleep because of the insects, heat or damp.  Not very comfortable for anyone with allergies.

Some alternatives:   renting out a block of university dorms during the summer holiday season.  

I had this experience with the army band this past summer.  We were staying at this university dorm.  We had a separate room with a cot, desk, phone, and wash basin.   The showers and toilets were down the hall.  There was a common room downstairs for television.  Meals could be taken at the cafeteria complex nearby.  No daily maid service.  Transportations was readily available.  This is considered a two star accomodation.  (I wonder what one star is)  The cost was $40/night for public  (maybe the army got a better deal).  

If there were enough people, buses and tours and other group activities could be arranged.  

Home swapping program:  
people need to register into a program to swap homes with other familes when they go on vacation.  There are some logistics involved but the most difficult part is trusting some stranger to live in your home when you are not there.  I suppose there are some insurance issues as well.  

Programmes like this already exist.  I met a woman who was involved with this.  Pictures of the home were sent over the net as well as information about amenities available nearby.  

The best thing about it is that this is very very low cost.  There could be some administrative and travel costs and not much else.  Some agent would have to be available for key pick-up or drop off and to check up or for emergencies.  People would be expected to buy their own food.

Have any of you ever tried living with a fellow autie/aspie as a roommate? Simply having all residents be autistic might not be as peaceful a recipe as you might imagine. My autistic family is not peaceful at all. A commune type setting does sound neat though.
I've sometimes thought it would be cool to have an Aspie-run home for LFA adults, where some aspies would live on the premises and be able to use the facilities while working/volunteering there. I can imagine aspies going there to volunteer and be in an autistic environment for a semester at a time, and since it'd be a home as well, it might get government funding.